Reversing-valve for regenerative furnaces.



PATBNTED APR. 11, 1905.

J. REULEAUX, REVERSING VALVE FOR REGBNBRATIVE FURNACES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

4 SHEETSSHEBT 1.

4 6 a w .a 00 a 7 M .00 Q Mm i W w 2 .w w M y 7% Q, J vo 6 2 w 0 3 e 2 Mw a.

(- uucutoz witnesses J. RBULEAUX.

REVERSING VALVE FOB. REGBNERATIVE FURNACES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 19, 1904. 1""

4 SHEETSSHEET S.

No. 787,222, PATENTED APR.11, 1905.

J. REULEAUX.

REVBRSING VALVE FOR RBGENERATIVE FURNACES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

l viiuaooeo attonuzl Patented April 11, 1905.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @FFTCE.

.lOSlCF REFLEAUX. OF \VILKINSBURH, llCNNSYlAY-rNlA, ASSN- NOR TOALEXANDER LAUG'IILIN, OF SIUYICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA.

REVERSlNG-VALVE FOR REGENERATIVE FURNACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787,222, dated April11, 1905.

Application filed May 19, 190 Ser al No. 208,790.

Be it known that l, Josnr REI'LEAI'X, o't' \Yilkinsburg. in the countyof Allegheny and State ol' Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Re versing-\'alves t'or Regenerative Furnaces;and I do hereby declare the following to be a lull, clear. and exactdescription of the invenlion. such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The primary object ol this invention is to I provide in water-sealedreversing-valves capable of controlling the passage of gases from thesupply-chamber to the llues ot regenerative furnaces and from the latterto the chimnevllue means whereby there can be no possibility of loss ofgas during the closing of one valve and the opening of another.

A further object is to so construct or arrange two such conjointlyoperating-valves that they will not only control the inflow of the gas,but will also regulate the outllow thereof and at the same time maintainthe integrity ol the seal: and a further object is to provide means formanipulating both valves conjointly or either o't them sepa rately froma common source and providing l'or conjoint action between the valvesand their covers.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set tol'th. and particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinalsectional view with parts broken away, showing the two valves inditl'erent extreme positions. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view online 2 '2, Fig. 1. Fig. I; shows the means l or shifting the actuatinggear-wheel by which the rocking beams are operated. Fig. l is a planview. Fig. is a horizontal sectional view on line 5 :3, Fig. 1v Fig tiis a diagrammatic view showing the two valves at the midway points ottheir strokes with the lids in engagement therewith. Fig. T is likewisea diagrammatic view showing both valves at their extreme lower seatswith their hds lowered thereon. Referring to the drawings, 1 and l designate the regenetatorllues of reversing-furnaces, intermediate which isthe chimneyllue 2. Surrounding the top of each regenerator-llue is awater-containing trough 3 of circular lormation, open at the top andprovided adjacent its inner wall with lugs i. Depending into thesetroughs 3 and resting on the lugs 4 are the llanges 5 of an outletcasingt. which latter extends over and opens into the chimney-tlue.

Resting on the top of easing (3 are two circular water-containingtroughs 7, formed with continuous circuml'erential water-spaces olapproximately U shape in cross-section, the outer walls S thereof beingsomewhat higher than the inner walls 9, the waterspace being open at thetop.

It) designate the two valves, which are of cylindrical formation anddesigned to move up and down within openings in the top of casing 6coincident with the spaces formed by the inner walls 9 and llanges 5.Each of these valves has at its top an outer depending concentric wall12, the space between the valve-body and wall being sutlicient toaccommodate the inner walls 9 of the upper seal-trough. 'lhese outerwalls 12 extend downwardly about hall" the length of the valves, andwhen the latter are lowered onto the lugs l in the troughs the loweredges o'l" walls 12 are within a short distance of the bottoms oltroughs 7. and when raised the lower edges ot walls 1') will stilloverlap the inner walls, and hence remain within the water in the uppertrough, the water being always maintained at the level of the top ofthis inner wall.

To each of the valves are secured hangerrods 13, depending from across-beam 14. The cylindrical valves are open at both ends; but theirupper ends may be closed by lids or covers 15, mounted on the lower endsol rods 16, capable of being moved independently oi as well as inconjunction with the means for raising and lowering the valves. Theselids are movable within an upper supply-casing 17, extending above thetwo valves and resting on the outer walls 8 of the waterseal troughs 7,its depending portions or flanges 18 extending downwardly into the upperseals.

The gas is supplied to the casing 17 from a centrally-disposedcompartment 19 between casings 6 and 17, its entrance being controlledby a valve 20. The opening in the bottom of this compartment in directline above the chimney-flue is normally closed by a cap 21; but when itis desired to burn out accumu lated matter this cap is removed and thegas passes directly to flue 2. The lower casing 6 is provided withdoor-covered openings 22 to permit of ready access thereto.

Water is supplied to troughs 7 through pipes 23, and the water rising tothe tops of the inner walls 9 will overflow into troughs 3, wherein itwill rise sufliciently to seal the lower ends of the valves as well asflanges 5, the surplus water passing off through overflow-pipes 24.

It will be seen that when a valve is lowered, as at the left-hand end ofFig. 1, it is sealed both at the top and bottom and that when raised toallow of the outflow of the gases it still remains sealed at its upperend, the integrity of such seal being maintained at every point ofadjustment or movement of the valve. According to the illustration inFig. 1 the gases are passing from the supplycasing 17 downwardly throughthe valve at the left into regenerator-flue 1, the lid 15 being raised,while the outlet-gases from the regenerator-flue 1 are passing intooutlet-casing 6 and thence to the chimney-flue 2, the valve to the rightbeing elevated. Now it is obvious that if it be desired to regulate theoutflow this valve may be lowered to the desired extent, the gasescontinuing to flow outwardly, but in diminished quantity, as long as thelower end of the valve is not sealed. In thus lowering thevalve toregulate the outflow its lid comes downwardly with it, whereas inopening up communication through the valve of flue 1 as the latter isbeing seated its lid after engaging therewith will be elevated. In orderto reverse the operation, it is only necessary to raise the valve offlue 1 and close its top, the valve of flue 1 being at the same timelowered into the lower seal-trough while its lid is raised.

The means for raising and lowering the two valves and controlling thepositions of the lids or covers thereof comprises two rocking beams 25,centrally mounted at 26 on suit able superposed framing 27. The ends ofthese rocking beams are curved on corresponding segments of a circle,the inner opposed ends of the two beams being toothed, so as to engagean intermediate gear-wheel 28, shiftably mounted on a shaft 29, capableof being manipulated by an upright shaft 30 or by any other suitablemeans. The toothed face of each rocking beam does not extend the fullwidth of the latterthat is to say, a cutout or toothless surface 31 isleft in the face of each beamthe two not being opposite to each other.The toothed portions, however, overlap, so that when the gearwheel 28 isin its central position it will mesh simultaueously with both rockingbeams, but when shifted to either side of the center it will mesh withbut a single beam. This shifting of the gear-wheel is controlled by alever 32, bifurcated at its lower end to span the wheel. In this wayprovision is made for controlling both rocking beams simultaneously froma common source or either of them independently. To the upper outer endof each rocking beam are secured the ends of chains 33, from which thecross-beam 14 is suspended. The rods 16 are suspended from chains 34,which pass over pulleys 35, mounted in vertically-adjustable brackets36. T0 the free ends of chains 34 are secured weights 37, which serve tohold the chains 34 taut and to prevent any lateral swing or displacementthereof. These weights acting as stops serve the further purpose ofenabling the lids to be raised and lowered by the movements of thebeams. For this purpose the latter are formed with dogs 38, which uponengaging with weights 37 will effect the elevation of the lids. Theweight of each lid itself being in excess of that of its weight 37, as arock ing beam is turned so as to move its dog out of engagement with aweight 37 the lid to which latter is connected will move downwardly. Atthe same time the valve to which such lid belongs is being raised.Consequently the lid and the valve will meet when the latter is aboutmidway of the eXtent of its upward stroke. At this time both thecylindrical valves are closed by the lids. (See Fig. 6.) In the furtherelevation of the valve whose lid has just engaged therewith the lid willnaturally move upwardly along with the valve and at the same time thelid of the other valve, having reached the midway point, is lifted toits highest point by reason of the dog of the rocking beam contactingwith its weight, its respective valve being lowered.

When it is desired to cut off the two flues from communication with thechimney-flue, the valve already seated is allowed to remain so, and therespective bracket 36 is adjusted so as to allow the lid 16 of suchvalve to lower onto the latter. The operator then throws the lever 32 sothat gear-wheel 28 will engage with'the toothed portion of but onerocking beam. Thereupon the latter is turned so as to effect thelowering of its respective valve, and at the same time or subsequentlythe bracket 36 in line with the lid thereof is ad justed to permit suchlid to lower onto its valve. In this way I am enabled to readily cut oifall communication with the chimneyflue and avoid all loss of heatthrough the chimney when the furnace is out of operation, as occurs whenrepairs are necessary or the furnace is temporarily thrown out of0pcration. By a proper adjustment of the brackets 36 neither lid willopen just as the lid of the other valve is closing. sueh openingfollowing shortly thereafter, so that for a short time the lids of bothvalves may be closed. it will be noted that the gearwheel 3% serves tolock the two beams in all positions.

It will be observed that by means of the two valves communication may beestablished between the supply-casing and either of the regenerativedues and between the other llue and the chimney-flue, that the walls l2being always submerged the seal between the supply-casing and the valvesis constant that the outllow from a regenerative llue may be readilycontrolled without all'ecting the seal between the valve thereot and thesupply-casing. that the valves and their closing-lids may be operatedsynchronously or independently, and that likewise the two valves may bemoved in unison or one independently of the other. It will also be notedthat the llanges of the supplyeasing are submerged by the water in theupper trough, while the llanges 3 of the lower or outlet casing aresubmerged by the water in the lower trough.

l claim as my invention 1. ln a reversing-valve,in combination, an uppersupply-casing, a lower outlet-casing. upper and lower seal-troughs forsuch casings. two cvlindrical valves working in said sealtroughs andthrough which the gases pass from the supply-easing to a regenerativellue or which permit the gases to pass from one regenerative llue to theoutlet-easing. means For moving the valves lengthwise. and means tormaintaining the integrity of one seal ol' each valve during themovements of the valves. 7

'2. In a reversing-valve, in combination, an upper supply-casing. alower outlet-asing, upper and lower troughs, two cylindri al valvesworking in said troughs and through which the gases pass from thesupply-casing to a regenerative line or which permit the gases to passfrom one regenerative llue to the outlet-easing. means for moving thevalves lengthwise, said upper casing having sealing-llanges extendinginto said upper troughs. and means for constantly maintaining theintegrity ol' one seal of each valve during the movements of the valves.

2 In a reversing-valve, in combination, an upper supply-casing. a loweroutlet-casing, upper and lower seals for such casings, two cylindricalvalves through which the gases pass, said valves working at their lowerends in said lower seals and having at their upper ends outer dependingportions extended into the upper seals to an extent greater than therange of movements of the 'alves, and means for moving the latterlengthwise, the gases passing through said valves from the supply-casingto a regenerative llue or from one llue lo the outlet-easing.

4. In a reversing-valve, in combination, an upper sup ply-casing, alower outletasing, upper and lower s als, two cylindrical valves throughwhich the gases pass, movable covers for said valves located within saidsupplycasing. means for moving the valves lengthwise, and mans *arriedby the valves for maintaining constant the upper seals there of at allstages of movement.

In a reversing-valve,' in combination, a water-trough, a side outletabove the latter, a cylindrical valve over the trough, means for movingthe valve lengthwise, an upper supply-easing, a cover for said valvelocated within said supply-casing, means for moving the cover. and aconstant water seal for the valve intermediate the supply-casing and theside outlet.

6. In a reversiug-valve, in combination, a lower seal-trough, a casinghaving depending llanges extending into said seal-trough, a cylindricalvalve extended through said casing and working in said seal-trough, anupper sealtrough, a wall concentric with and depending lrom said valveinto said upper sealtrough a distance greater than the movement of thevalve, and means [or moving the alve lengtlnvise.

T. ln a reversing-valve, in combination, upper and lower water-sealtroughs, an intermediate casing having a llange depending into the lowerseal-trough and upon which the upper seal-trough is mounted, aeylindri-al 'alv'e designed to work in said lower seal-trough and havinga concentric portion depending into said upper seal-trough a distaneegreater than the range of movement of the valve, and means for movingthe latter.

8. In a reversing-valve, in combination, upper and lower troughs lormingwater seals, the depth of the former being considerably greater thanthat ol' the latter, a cylindrical valve having an outer concentric walldepending into said upper seal-trough, and m ans for moving the'alve,said wall extending into said upper seal-trough during all stagesol movement ol the valve.

t). In a reversing-valve, in combination, a trough adjacent to aregenerative llue, a casing forming a side outlet from such llue, avalve movable vertically into and out of said trough and having anexternal water seal in,

all positions.

10. In a reversing- 'alve, in combination, upper and lower casings, anintermediate supply-compartment opening into said upper casing, a valvetherel'or, two cylindrical valves, lids theretor within said uppercasing, means for moving the valves lengthwise, and means for actuatingthe lids, said lids being movable with and independent of the eylin- Idrieal valves.

11. In a reversing-valve, upper and lower casings, an intermediatesupply-compartment opening into said upper casing, a valve therefor, twocylindrical valves, lids therefor within said upper casing, means formoving the valves lengthwise, and means for actuating the lids, saidlids being movable with and independent of the cylindrical valves.

12. In a reversing-valve, upper and lower casings, an intermediatesupply-compartment opening into said upper casing, a valve forcontrolling such opening, an opening in the bottom of said compartmentin line with the chimneyflue, and a cover therefor.

13. In a reversingvalve, in combination, a lower outlet-casing common totwo regenerator-flues and to the chimney-flue, an upper supply-casing,two cylindrical valves for the two regenerator-flues and through whichthe gases pass, upper and lower seals for such valves, lids thereforwithin said supply-casing, and means for moving either valve and its lidto any desired eXtent to regulate the outflow of the gases, one seal ofsuch valve being constant.

14. In a reversing-valve, in combination, upper and lower watersealtroughs, an upper casing having a depending portion extending into theupper water-seal trough, a cylindrical valve working in said troughs andthrough which the gases pass, a lid for said valve within said casing,means for moving the valve and lid, and means for moving the lidindependently of the valve.

15. In a reversing-valve, in combination, a vertically-movablecylindrical valve through which the gases pass, a lid for said valve,and means connected to the valve and its lid for moving them in unisonand allowing one to move free of the other.

16. In a reversing-valve, in combination, a vertically-movablecylindrical valve through which the gases pass, a lid for said valve,means connected to the valve, and means connected to the lid foreffecting the raising and lowering thereof, the lid moving but a portionof the stroke of the valve and in part while in engagement therewith.

17. The combination with a verticallymovable cylindrical valve throughwhich the gases pass, chains connected to such valve 1' or effecting theraising and lowering thereof, a lid for such valve, a chain connectedthereto, means to which the chains of the valve are secured foreffecting the raising and lowering thereof, and means carried by suchlatter means for engaging the chain of the lid for controlling theposition of the latter relative to the valve.

18. In a reversing-valve, in combination, two cylindrical valves throughwhich the gases pass, lids therefor, two rocking beams from which thevalves are suspended, means carried by such beams for effecting theraising and lowering of said. lids simultaneously with the movements ofthe valves, and means engaging the two beams for moving themsimultaneously or one independently of the other.

19. In a reversing-valve, in combination with the two valves, therocking beams from which the valves are suspended, such beams havingopposite toothed portions and smooth segmental portions, such smoothportions of the two beams being out of line with each other, agear-wheel engaging said toothed portions, and means for shifting suchgearwheel into line with the smooth portion of one beam while it remainsin gear with the other beam.

20. The combination with the two valves, the rocking beams for raisingand lowering the valves, and means for actuating the beamssimultaneously or independently, of the lids for such valves, chainsconnected to such lids, and means carried by such beams for acting onsaid chains to effect the raising of the lids, pulleys over which suchchains are passed, and means for raising and lowering the pulleys toregulate the extent of the movements of the lids.

21. The combination with a valve, of a rocking beam for raising andlowering the same, a lid for the valve, a chain connected to such lid, apulley for such chain, an adjustable support for such pulley, means foractuating the rocking beam, and a dog carried by the latter for engagingthe chain to effect the movement of the lid.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

J OSEF REULEAUX.

I/Vitnesses J N OTA MCGILL, FRANCIS S. MAGUIRE.

